Aadhaar not mandatory for LPG subsidy; bank a/c to do: Govt

Government today made it clear that Aadhaar number was not mandatory for transfer of subsidy amount of LPG cylinder and the option of providing a bank account is also available under the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL).

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed Lok Sabha that under the DBTL, the LPG consumers joining this scheme get all domestic LPG cylinders (subsidised as well as non- subsidised cylinder) at market price and subsidy amount as applicable for each domestic subsidised cylinder is transferred to their bank account.

Pradhan said during Question Hour that a one-time advance in addition to the cash subsidy admissible is also provided to each LPG consumer joining the scheme. This is to fund the first cylinder purchased at market price.

Subsidy is separately admissible on every cylinder, including the first cylinder.

The Minister said consumers have two options for availing subsidy under the scheme. Wherever Aadhaar number is available, it will remain the medium of cash transfer. Thus, an LPG consumer who has an Aadhaar number has to link it to the bank account number and to the LPG consumer number.

"If the LPG consumer does not have an Aadhaar number, he can directly receive subsidy in his bank account without the use of Aadhaar number. This option which has now been introduced in the modified scheme ensures that LPG subsidy is not denied to an LPG consumer on account of lack of Aadhaar number," he said.